First off: Don't Panic! We will collect most
of the data for the project as part of our in-class lab exercises.

Subject The paper will discuss the
environmental geology of the area in which the student lives. The purpose is for the
student to apply the concepts discussed in the lecture and the lab to an area with which
they are familiar. The subject area should be the township section (approximately
one-square mile) in which the student lives. Specific requirements are listed below.

Date due See class
schedule.

Length The paper will be graded based on content, so the primary
requirement is that the points listed in the outline are all covered.
(This should result in a paper at least 8 to 10 pages,
double-spaced.)

Outline The paper should follow this
outline and, at a minimum, cover the following points. Listed items should be discussed
(even if only to say they are not a concern); 'etc.' indicates that additional items may
be appropriate.

Description of study area - past and present land use,
overall topography, etc.

General overview of findings - a paragraph summarizing 6
(see below).

Natural Resources - must include a discussion of: water resources
and soils (and, if present: mineral and energy resources) & include a
discussion of how these are currently used

Natural Hazards - must include a discussion of flooding,
landslides, earthquakes, wetlands, radon gas (whether or not they are
present) & include a discussion of how these are currently being dealt
with

Human-Induced Hazards - pollution and
possible pollution sources (must include: the closest LUST and
enviromapper sites and where your waste water and trash go) and the impact
of mining (closest mine, surface or underground) & a discussion of how
these are currently being dealt with

Plans for Future Use - what they are (if any), what they
should be (based on what you know)

Summary - the impact this report has had
on you.

References - You
must reference all findings!!! (textbook, maps, books, local officials, etc.); they should be in alphabetical order and
in one of the formats (APA or MLA) recommended in the IVCC style book (http://www.ivcc.edu/stylebook/)

Figures - maps and diagrams are extremely useful for
explaining points; the minimum requirement is a copy of the topographic map showing the
study area with important features labeled and photos of important
features.

Grading: The paper is worth 100 points as
indicated on the grading sheet. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are worth 10% your
grade.

Questions: If you need help, please ask
me.

SPECIAL NOTES

Typed: The report must be typed for ease
of reading; all students have free access to the on-campus computer labs and should use
the computers to type their reports.

Presentation to Class:
You will present the key findings to the class. Please pick the three or
four most interesting and important things you discovered and the
implications. You may use PowerPoint. You must use visual materials from
your report.

References:

I
do not expect you to be all knowing; the information in your reports will
be the result of research and observation. When you obtain information
from a source, you must reference that source!!! If you make an
observation, indicate that you observed it.

Visuals: You should
include pictures and maps to illustrate you findings. These visuals should
be used within your report by calling out from the text to the map or
picture to show the reader what you are talking about.

Conclusions: To
receive full credit, you must make conclusions based on your observations.
This is key to receiving maximum credit. This project is intended to allow
you to apply what you learn in the class and, at the same time, show me
that you understand the material and can use it to interpret the area
where you live. I expect to see indications that the material you include
in the report means something to you.